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Chapter 11: Dinner *Finally*
Hermione didn't want to let go of Severus' arm, but she had to look around. She went and inspected the tables and desk (which was very neat). Then she moved over to one of the sides of the wall that had a bookcase. It was almost as if she was standing in the library. He had every book you could imagine and more. There were books from Potions to Runes to Cures for common things, and even some muggle literature. She noted that he had her two favourites Jane Austin, and Shakespeare.
"Yes Ms. Granger, I love to read just about as much as you do. Most of those are Potion books. I would much prefer you didn't get drool on them too." Hermione shut her mouth quickly.
"I didn't mean to . . . I was just amazed at the collection." At that Severus let out a slight laugh. It startled Hermione, and gave her chills at the same time. She never knew that he could laugh, let alone make it sound like such a sweet thing.
"You laughed." Hermione didn't mean to be so blunt, or even let it slip out for that matter, it just did. She bit her tongue waiting for his reply.
"I do know how to do that Ms. Granger. The fact that you look like a child in a candy store was funny." He couldn't hide the playfulness Hermione saw in his eyes. She gave him a slight smile at that. She got another shock when he smiled back. It gave her chills too. "Are you cold?" Severus asked. She hadn't realized that her chills were noticeable.
"No, I'm fine thanks. I am getting hungry though." She said with a slight smile.
"Of course. Coming right up. I'll be right back. Why don't you sit at the dinning table?" Severus pointed at an elegant round table Hermione hadn't noticed. It was set with the finest china Hermione had ever seen. The napkin rings were made of sliver and in the shape of a serpent. There were two green candles in the centre of the table, and a bottle of apple cider sat chilling.
'I wonder why he put so much thought into this dinner.' Hermione sat at one end of the table. She just admired they way everything looked in his quarters. It was magnificent; she almost thought he had someone decorate for him. But she remembered Hagrid telling her last year the teachers got to choose the way their quarters were set up.
Severus came in with a wheel cart stacked with food. Hermione knew automatically that this was not what the other students were having for dinner. There was a turkey with stuffing, cranberry sauce, corn, yams, and a fruit salad. This was Hermiones favourite dinner. It was only made at feasts. 'I wonder how he knew'.
"Here we are. I had this made for us today."
"How did you know?"
"Know what?"
"This is my favourite."
"We are both in luck then, because this is my favourite also." At that Severus gave Hermione another smile, this one smaller than the last.
"Thank you very much."
"Your welcome."
With that Severus served Hermione. He poured them both a glass of water and apple cider. They sat in silence enjoying the wonderful dinner in front of them. It was even more delicious than when they ate it in the Great Hall. Both of them couldn't figure out it was because they were eating it together, alone. Finally Hermione broke the silence.
"You have been utterly nice Professor Snape, why?" Severus flinched at that. He hadn't realized he was being very nice. He also didn't like the sound of her calling him 'Professor Snape'. He better change that.
"Please call me Severus, Ms. Granger, we will be working together for quite awhile. I have been nice, because it is rude not to be nice at dinner with an assistant." Hermione couldn't believe he said assistant instead of student.
"In that case, please call me Hermione. And thank you so much for letting me be your assistant. I'm very glad that I can help out, although I have no idea what we are working on. From the notes last night I would say it has something to do with lycanthropy, otherwise all of that wolfsbane would not be used."
"You are quite right Hermione. First I am pleased to inform you that because of your assistance you will not have to do a potions end of the year exam. You will receive full marks from me. Also you are very right about the lycanthropy. Professor Dumbledore came to me because Lupin had come to him about it. So I accepted to help work on it."
"That was very kind of you considering it is for a man you don't really like."
"I never can turn down a huge potions project, Hermione. It is one of my loves." Severus hadn't realized that he had more than one love, yet he knew what it was. It would just sound really weird for him to go 'the other is you'. He didn't want to push it. At that Hermione smiled and continued to eat her dinner.
Soon after Severus cleared the table, and brought out the most magnificent caramel custard Hermione had ever tasted. The sat after awhile and just talked. Severus couldn't help but notice how totally completely beautiful she looked. 'She must have been taken out of a book,' he thought.
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Soon after they went back into the classroom where the workstation was set up. Severus explained he wanted Hermione to take notes and help measure out the ingredients tonight. He felt the need to work fast so he could play later. She understood. They worked the rest of the night away. Finally when the clock struck 11 once again, they were startled.
"Severus, it is late. I should get back to my common room."
"Yes, that would be good." He didn't really mean it.
"After dinner tomorrow then?"
"Yes."
"See you then. Good night." Hermione wanted so much to ask if she could go back to his quarters and read herself to sleep in his arms, but she knew better.
"Good night."
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With that Hermione made her way back up to the common room. Amazingly everyone was in bed already. Usually there were stragglers, whom stayed up late. It was only the first week of school, so Hermione could understand. She was very tired herself. She went up to her dorm and changed into some jimjams. She decided not to write in her diary, but to dream about the night she had had.
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Severus watched Hermione leave the dungeons. He didn't want her to leave, he wanted her to stay and wrap up in his quarters with him. He knew better than to say anything of it to anyone. 'Well,' he thought 'maybe I should talk to Dumbledore.' Severus cleaned up the workstation. Then he went back to his quarters, and went to sleep dreaming about a girl.
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Authors Note: Hey guys sorry it took so long to update again. Many, many thanks to all of the reviewers. Without you guys I wouldn't have the guts to finish writing every night. I hope you liked this chapter. It is a bit on the long side, oh well! I hope you enjoyed. Thank you all very much again!